Operably aligned and clamped earth boring machine

ABSTRACT

The earth boring machine includes a stationary horizontally disposed frame with guide tracks to straddle a trench next to a pavement. A shaft for a drill bit, supported under the frame, is driven by a motor mounted on a carriage riding on the guide tracks. A pavement aligning member connects to one end of the frame to extend downward over the side of the pavement under which the earth is to be bored. A carriage driver pulls the carriage towards the pavement aligning member and pulls the frame against the side of the pavement in order to enable the drill bit to bore a hole in the earth under the pavement while aligning and clamping the boring machine during the boring operation.

United States Patent Brinkman [451 Oct. 10,1972

[72] Inventor: Dale U. Brinkman, 540 Bonita Avenue, San Jose, Calif.95116 [22] Filed: March 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 129,374

[52] US. Cl. ..175/122, 175/62, 175/220 [51] Int. Cl. ..E21b 3/02, E01 g3/00 [58] Field of Search ..175/53, 62, 122, 162, 203, 175/220 [5 6]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,128,240 8/1938 Foster ..175/62X 2,588,068 3/1952 Williams et al. ..175/122 2,647,726 8/1953 Kirk..175/62 X 2,752,122 6/1956 Hyatt et al. ..175/62 X 2,823,898 2/1958Bankston ..175/62 X Tumerm ..175/62 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS647,763 9/1962 Canada ..175/62 Primary Examiner-David H. BrownAttorney-I. Robert Mednick [57] ABSTRACT The earth boring machineincludes a stationary horizontally disposed frame with guide tracks tostraddle a trench next to a pavement. A shaft for a drill bit, supportedunder the frame, is driven by a motor mounted on a carriage riding onthe guide tracks. A pavement aligning member connects to one end of theframe to extend downward over the side of the pavement under which theearth is to be bored. A carriage driver pulls the carriage towards thepavement aligning member and pulls the frame against the side of thepavement in order to enable the drill bit to bore a hole in the earthunder the pavement while aligning and clamping the boring machineduringthe boring operation.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnm 10 m2 3.696.874

INVENTOR. DALE U. BRl-NK MAN BY @MM ATTORNEY OPERABLY ALIGNED ANDCLAMPED EARTH BORING MACHINE AN OPERABLY ALIGNED AND CLAMPED EARTHBORING MACHINE The present invention relates to an earth boring machine,and more particularly relates to an earth boring machine for boringhorizontal holes in earth under pavement.

ln installing earth covered conduits such as water pipes, trenches orditches are generally dug in the earth. After the conduit is installedin the trenches, the trenches are then filled with earth. At times, itis desirable or necessary that the conduit extend under a pavement suchas a concrete walk. in that event, it is not practical to break up thepavement to enable a trench to be dug so as to place a section of theconduit therein, and to thereafter refill the trench and rebuild thepavement. For this purpose, it is customary to bore a hole under thepavement within which a section of the conduit is placed and connectedto the sections of the conduit installed in the trenches. Various typesof earth boring machines have been built to accomplish this purpose.

In order to bore a hole under a pavement at a desired location,direction, and depth, a boring machine may have to be stabilized in asuitable position. Then the selected position of the boring machineshould be maintained during the boring operation. In that event,suitable stabilizing equipment is required. Otherwise, the operator mayhave to readjust the position of the boring machine from time to time.Further, during the operation of the boring machine, the drillingmechanism will at times encounter obstacles or impediments such asrocks. Thereupon, the speed of the boring operation will have to beslowed down or otherwise temporarily adjusted. In order to take care offactors involved, more than one person may be required to operate theearth boring machine, or else one person will have to take more time incompleting the boring operation. Conventional earth boring machines fordrilling holes under pavement are usually large in size and expensive.Some of these earth boring machines operate in enlarged trenches ordugouts to accomodate the large sized machines. As a result, additionalearth digging will have to be performed. Others require considerabletime to bring the machines to the site, and arrange them in position todrill the desired horizontal holes in the earth under the pavement.Additionally, other earth boring machines require a lot of attention inoperating the machines and to maintain them in the desired positionsduring the boring operations.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a machine forboring holes in earth under a pavement or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an earth boring machinethat can be quickly and easily installed and operated to bore holes inearth under a pavement.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an earth boringmachine which can utilize the conduit trenches already formed in theearth next to a pavement in order to bore a hole under the pavement.

A further object of this invention is to provide an earth boring machinewhich is aligned and clamped to a pavement to be maintained in itsdesired position while operating to bore a hole under the pavement.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an earth boringmachine which can be economically manufactured and maintained, and whichonly required one person to operate the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide an earth boring machinehaving a frame with a pair of guide tracks that is positioned on top ofa pavement, and which has a rotatable shaft and drill bit positioned ina conduit trench previously formed in the earth next to the pavement inorder to bore a horizontal hole under the pavement.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an earth boringmachine that may be quickly and readily moved from one place to anotherin order to bore holes under pavement or the like.

Still another object of this invention is to provide .an earth boringmachine wherein the rate of drilling may be easily adjust-d whenencounteringobstacles or impediments during the boring operation.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of theinvention, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understoodfrom the following description considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which an embodiment of the invention isillustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood,however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and are not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the earth boring machine of this inventionshowing it in use.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the earth boring machine seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged viewof the pavement aligning member seenalonglines 3-3 of FIG. 1, and showing by dotted lines an alternateposition thereof.

FIG. 4 is another side view of an earth boring machine of this inventionshowing a modified carriage driver that may be utilized therewith.

Referring now to the figures, there is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 a side andtop view, respectively, of the earth boring machine of this invention. Aframe generally designated by numeral 10 includes a pair of paralleldisposed channels 11a and 11b positioned on their edges with their opensides facing each other. End bars 12 and 13 connected at the ends ofchannels 11a and 11b make a rectangular shaped frame thereof. In orderto provide additional structural support, an intermediate cross bar 14is also seen connected to channels 11a and 11b. Channels 11a and 11b,and end bars 12 and 13 are preferably made of iron, steel, or the like,to form a rigid structure. End bars 12 and 13 may be welded or otherwisefixedly connected to the ends of channels 11a and 11b. Channels 11a and1 lb form longitudinally extending laterally spaced guide tracks forrolling members such as wheels 15 disposed within the open sides ofchannels 11a and 11b. A pair of handles 16 are fixedly connected neareach end of frame 10 and extend upwards to enable the earth boringmachine to be carried to a site to perform the boring operation.

Pavement aligning member 17 includes a flat plate 18 secured by bolts19a and 19b to end bar 12. Plate 18 extends downward to rest on one sideof a pavement 20 being a sidewalk formed by a concrete slab. A carriagewith wheels is formed by a platform 21 with fixed axles 22a and 22bconnected to the bottomside thereof to carry four rotatable wheelspositioned within the open sides of channels 11a and 11b. A motor 23such as a gasoline engine, with a centrifugal clutch 24, is mounted onplatform 21 in any convenient manner. An endless belt 25 connectscentrifugal clutch 24 to drive a reduction gear assembly 26 also mountedon platform 21.

Hollow shaft 27 is supported underframe 10 by a first support member 28and a second supportmember 29. First support member 28 includes avertical rod 30 with its top end fixedly connected to platform 21, andwith its bottom end connected to support bearing member 31. A chain 32extends through opening 33 in platform-21 to engage a sprocket on theoutput shaft of reduction gear assembly 26, and to engage a sprocket oncoupling shaft 34 carried by bearing member 31. A universal coupling 35connects coupling shaft 34 to hollow shaft 27. Second support member 29includes a cross bar 36 with an attached plate 37 having a bearingmember 38. Hollow shaft 27 extends through bearing member 38 to besupported and guided as it is moved therethrough. Fastening members 39aand 39b on the ends of cross bar 36 can be secured to channels 11a and11b to hold second support member 29 -in a selected position.

As seen in the partial broken away view in FIG. 1, a water applicator 40surrounds hollow shaft 27 near universal coupling 35. Water applicator40 comprises a non-rotatable casing 41 forming a water jacketsurrounding several small circumferential openings 42 in rotatablehollow shaft 27. A couple of sealing rings 43 at each end of casing 41provide a water seal between casing 41 and hollow shaft '27. A drill bit44 with a centrally extending orifice is secured to the end of hollowshaft 27. Water can flow from inlet pipe 45 inside casing 41 into hollowshaft 27 through its openings 42, and then escape through the centralorifice in drill bit 44.

As realized from the above, motor 23 is coupled to hollow shaft 27 todrive hollow shaft 27 and drill bit 44. The coupling means connectingmotor 23 to shaft 27 includes centrifugal clutch 24, belt 25, reductiongear assembly 26, chain 32, bearing member 31, and universal coupling35. When motor 23 is operating, hollow shaft 27 with its drill bit 44will thereupon be rotated. A carriage driver is also provided in orderto enable drill bit 44 to bore a horizontal hole under pavement 17. Thecarriage driver includes winch 46 with a cable 47 connected to thecarriage by a hook and eye bolt 48 secured to rod 30 which in turnconnects to platform 21. Winch 46 is mounted on a plate 49 connected tochannels 11a and 11b. Cable 47 rides on a pulley attached to the top ofcross bar 36. Winch 46 may be turned to pull the movable carriagetowards pavement aligning member 17. When drill bit 44 engages the earthunder pavement 20, frame 10 will be pulled so that flat plate 18 willpress against the side of pavement 20, and the contacting force of drillbit 44 with the earth will clamp the boring machine in this position.

In order to operate this machine, the earth boring machine is carried tothe sidewalk 20 or other type of pavement under which a hole is to bebored. Of course, prior to the use of the machine, regular sizedtrenches for laying conduit are initially dug on both sides of sidewalk20. Frame 10 is positioned on top of sidewalk 20 with pavement aligningmember 17 resting against the side of sidewalk. Channels 11a and 11b arespaced apart to straddle trench 50. Support members 28 and 29, and alsoshaft 27 with its drill bit 44 fit within trench 50. By means of a waterhose connected to inlet pipe 45, water under pressure flows throughwater applicator 40 into hollow shaft 27 and out of drill bit 44. Withmotor 23 running, shaft 27 and drill bit 44 will thereupon rotate. Then,hand winch 46 will be turned to pull platform 21, and the carriage willmove on the tracks of frame 10 towards pavement aligning member 17. Whendrill bit 44 engages the earth under pavement 20, plate 18 will pressagainst the side of pavement 20 to align frame 10 will pavement 20. Theengaging force of the plate 18 against pavement 20 together with theengaging force of drill bit 44 with the earth will act as a clamp tohold the earth boring machine in this position. Accordingly, the drillbitwill then bore a hole under the pavement while the earth boringmachine is aligned and clamped during the boring operation.

In case it is desired to bore a hole in an angular direction withrespect to a pavement, the pavement aligning member may then becorrespondingly positioned with respect to frame 10.- FIG. 3 is anenlarged view of pavement aligning member 17, showing by dotted linessuch an alternate position thereof. In that event, by the simple use ofa spacer 51 on bolt 19a, pavement aligning member 17 will then bequickly and easily positioned to enable a hole to be bored in a desiredangular direction. It will be realized that in case the pavement orsidewalk is curved or has an irregular shape, then the pavement aligningmember may be shaped and positioned to accomodate the shape of thepavement. In either case, the operation of this earth boring machinewill be the same as previously described.

In operating the boring machine previously described, the operatorrotates the crank of the winch to pull the carriage to move it on thetracks of the frame towards the pavement aligning member. After theboring operation is completed, the carriage may be easily pushed by handto return it to the position shown in FIG. 1. However, with one personoperating the earth boring machine, it may be convenient if the operatorcan turn the winchfor returning the carriage as well. FIG. 4 shows aside view of the earth boring machine in which a modified carriagedriver is shown wherein the winch can be used for advancing andreturning the carriage. Therein, an endless chain 52 on a pair ofpulleys 53 and 54 are provided to be turned by winch 55 to move thecarriage in either direction. Chain 52 is seen disposed on the outsideof channel 1 la so that it will not interfere with the operation of theboring machine. A bracket 56 connects chain 52 to platform 21 to enablethe carriage to be moved along frame 10 in either longitudinal directionas winch 55 is turned accordingly. Except for the modified carriagedriver as described, all the other parts of the earth boring machineshown in the other figures are included in the earth boring machineshown in FIG. 4, and therefore the same reference numbers are showntherein.

Having herein described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An operably aligned and clamped earth boring machine for boringhorizontal holes in earth under a pavement, said boring machinecomprising:

a. a stationary horizontally disposed frame having longitudinallyextending laterally spaced guide tracks;

b. a pavement aligning member connected to the frame at one end thereofto extend downward over one side of the pavement while a portion of saidframe is positioned on top of the pavement;

c. a carriage having wheels rotatably disposed on the guide tracks;

d. a motor mounted on the carriage;

e. a rotatable hollow shaft disposed on the underside of the frame;

f. a drill bit fixedly connected to one end of the hollow shaft;

g. a first shaft support member suspended from the carriage to rotatablysupport the shaft and to move the shaft with the carriage;

h. a second shaft support member suspended from the frame on the otherside of the pavement between the first shaft support member and thepavement aligning member to support and guide the shaft;

i. coupling means connecting the shaft and the motor to enable the motorto rotate the shaft and the drill bit; and

j. a carriage driver connected to the frame and to the carriage to pullthe frame so that the pavement aligning member presses against the sideof the pavement, and to pull the carriage to move it on the tracks ofthe frame towards the pavement aligning member in order to enable thedrill bit to bore a hole in the earth under the pavement while aligningand clamping the boring machine during the boring operation.

2. The earth boring machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidcarriage driver includes a winch fixedly connected to the frame, and acable driven by the winch and being connected to move the carriagetowards the pavement aligning member.

3. The earth boring machine in accordance with claim 2 wherein saiddrill bit has an orifice, wherein said shaft has openings in a portionthereof, and which additionally includes a non-rotatable waterapplicator connected to the shaft with a water jacket surrounding theopenings therein and being in sealed engagement therewith to allow waterinto the rotating shaft and out of the orifice during operation of theboring machine.

4. The earth boring machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidcarriage driver includes connecting means operable to move the carriageon the tracks in either direction, wherein said drill bit has anorifice, and which additionally includes a non-rotatable waterapplicator connected to the shaft to allow water into the hollow shaftand out of said orifice during operation of the boring machine.

5. An operably aligned and clamped earth boring machine for boringhorizontal holes in earth under a pavement, said boring machinecomprising:

a. a stationary horizontally disposed frame having guide tracks;

b. a pavement aligning member connected to the frame at one end thereofto extend downward over one side of the pavement while a portion of saidframe is positioned on top of the pavement;

c. a carriage capable of moving on the guide tracks;

d. a motor mounted on the carria e;

e. a rotatable shaft disposed on e underside of the frame;

f. a drill bit fixedly connected to one end of the shaft;

g. shaft support means to support the shaft under the frame;

h. coupling means including a universal joint connecting the shaft andthe motor to enable the motor to rotate the shaft and the drill bit; and

i. a carriage driver connected to the frame and to the carriage to pullthe carriage to move it on the guide tracks of the frame towards thepavement aligning member, and to pull the frame so that the pavementaligning member presses against the side of the pavement in order toenable the drill bit to bore a hole in the earth under the pavementwhile aligning and clamping the boring machine during the boringoperation.

6. The earth boring machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidcarriage driver includes a winch fixedly connected to the frame, and acable driven by the winch and being connected to move the carriagetowards the pavement aligning member, and wherein said coupling meansincludes a reduction gear assembly to rotate the shaft at a reduced rateof speed.

7. The earth boring machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidcarriage driver includes connecting means operable to move the carriageon the guide tracks of the frame in either direction.

1. An operably aligned and clamped earth boring machine for boring horizontal holes in earth under a pavement, said boring machine comprising: a. a stationary horizontally disposed frame having longitudinally extending laterally spaced guide tracks; b. a pavement aligning member connected to the frame at one end thereof to extend downward over one side of the pavement while a portion of said frame is positioned on top of the pavement; c. a carriage having wheels rotatably disposed on the guide tracks; d. a motor mounted on the carriage; e. a rotatable hollow shaft disposed on the underside of the frame; f. a drill bit fixedly connected to one end of the hollow shaft; g. a first shaft support member suspended from the carriage to rotatably support the shaft and to move the shaft with the carriage; h. a second shaft support member suspended from the frame on the other side of the pavement between the first shaft support member and the pavement aligning member to support and guide the shaft; i. coupling means connecting the shaft and the motor to enable the motor to rotate the shaft and the drill bit; and j. a carriage driver connected to the frame and to the carriage to pull the frame so that the pavEment aligning member presses against the side of the pavement, and to pull the carriage to move it on the tracks of the frame towards the pavement aligning member in order to enable the drill bit to bore a hole in the earth under the pavement while aligning and clamping the boring machine during the boring operation.
 2. The earth boring machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carriage driver includes a winch fixedly connected to the frame, and a cable driven by the winch and being connected to move the carriage towards the pavement aligning member.
 3. The earth boring machine in accordance with claim 2 wherein said drill bit has an orifice, wherein said shaft has openings in a portion thereof, and which additionally includes a non-rotatable water applicator connected to the shaft with a water jacket surrounding the openings therein and being in sealed engagement therewith to allow water into the rotating shaft and out of the orifice during operation of the boring machine.
 4. The earth boring machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carriage driver includes connecting means operable to move the carriage on the tracks in either direction, wherein said drill bit has an orifice, and which additionally includes a non-rotatable water applicator connected to the shaft to allow water into the hollow shaft and out of said orifice during operation of the boring machine.
 5. An operably aligned and clamped earth boring machine for boring horizontal holes in earth under a pavement, said boring machine comprising: a. a stationary horizontally disposed frame having guide tracks; b. a pavement aligning member connected to the frame at one end thereof to extend downward over one side of the pavement while a portion of said frame is positioned on top of the pavement; c. a carriage capable of moving on the guide tracks; d. a motor mounted on the carriage; e. a rotatable shaft disposed on the underside of the frame; f. a drill bit fixedly connected to one end of the shaft; g. shaft support means to support the shaft under the frame; h. coupling means including a universal joint connecting the shaft and the motor to enable the motor to rotate the shaft and the drill bit; and i. a carriage driver connected to the frame and to the carriage to pull the carriage to move it on the guide tracks of the frame towards the pavement aligning member, and to pull the frame so that the pavement aligning member presses against the side of the pavement in order to enable the drill bit to bore a hole in the earth under the pavement while aligning and clamping the boring machine during the boring operation.
 6. The earth boring machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said carriage driver includes a winch fixedly connected to the frame, and a cable driven by the winch and being connected to move the carriage towards the pavement aligning member, and wherein said coupling means includes a reduction gear assembly to rotate the shaft at a reduced rate of speed.
 7. The earth boring machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said carriage driver includes connecting means operable to move the carriage on the guide tracks of the frame in either direction. 